Based on a message by Sharon Kelly devoted
Written by Ginny Paynter
When I used to fly for travel, my family or friends would be standing at the gate to greet me when I arrived. After 9/11 that came to an abrupt stop. Only traveling guests were on the inside of the TSA line. I started standing in lines that were longer, and I gladly would wait to have them review everything. 9/11 brought into focus the freedoms we must protect and the cost it requires to uphold it. We thank the troops we pass on the streets, we send coffee, letters, and post-service assistance to support those who help guard these freedoms.
As Christians, we have been afforded a freedom in the sacrifice of Jesus’ life and we must stand up for what is righteous and cherish the truth of freedom that was given for us. Freedom is never free, there is always a cost. Freedom is journey, it’s not an instant destination, but a sojourn of the soul and spirit that sets us free. Jesus came to give us freedom and we must cherish this truth of freedom (TPT). The closer we draw to Jesus there is a yielding that happens as we make it all about Jesus and as it transforms us, releasing us into freedom.
But what does it mean to walk in Christ’s freedom?
· Walking Christ’s freedom means living by being led by the Holy Spirit.
How do we this? Yielding, yielding the tugs and promptings of the Holy Spirit moves us more into a place of obedience that in turn brings freedom through the Holy Spirit. The purpose of obedience is to allow us more freedom in Christ.
· Walking in Christ’s freedom means living to love and serve others.
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence:
“Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?” Galatians 5:13-15 MSG
To live in true freedom is to love and serve others; bake cookies, volunteer, babysit for a young mom, clean an elderly person’s home. We need to serve others like never before, there is desperation and heartbreak and the women of the church need to rise up.
· Walking in Christ’s freedom means cherishing the price that was paid for our freedom – REMAIN GRATEFUL.
Gratefulness will keep a heart free from the burden comparison will bring. It keeps a heart focused on the greatness of the good gift Christ’s death brought and humbles us.
The great thing about freedom is we are all on the exact same journey. Our paths to freedom may have a slightly different terrain than our sister to our right, but nothing changes the truth that we are all on a journey to Christ’s freedom. It’s a process; a beautiful, redemptive process that unleashes us on a grand adventure leading us toward heaven.